When will Coolidge and Roskam go head-to-head?

While other candidates are already throwing jabs at each other at public debates, Republican Congressman Peter Roskam and his opponent Democrat Leslie Coolidge have yet to face off over control of the 6th Congressional District.

Coolidge, a Barrington Hills accountant, invited Roskam to four debates in August. The Wheaton attorney has not responded to her challenge but is working with the League of Women Voters on scheduling for a proposed candidates forum Oct. 11 in Palatine, a spokeswoman said.

Coolidge said she will be available to participate in the Palatine event as well as a forum being organized by the Elgin League of Women Voters.

The race for the 6th District has been relatively tame compared to other barnburners in the region, such as Republican Congressman Joe Walsh’s fight against wounded Iraq War veteran and Democrat Tammy Duckworth in the 8th District. Duckworth and Walsh have already participated in two forums.

The low profile of the contest could be because Roskam, a high-ranking GOP leader and former state senator, is viewed as having a comfortable lead over Coolidge, despite his district being carved up and spread out over five counties by state Democrats in an effort to make him more vulnerable. Roskam also has $1.65 million to spend on his campaign from individual contributions and a political action committee, compared to Coolidge’s $24,800, according to the latest federal records.

Coolidge, 53, thinks the redistricting puts Roskam, 51, on the same playing field as her in a number of towns. “We believe it’s a winnable race if we just get our message out there,” she said.

The 6th Congressional District includes portions of the following counties: south Lake, southeast McHenry, east Kane, northwest Cook and DuPage.